Congo War Security Review, September 18, 2026

Data Cutoff: September 18, 2026, at 1 P.M. EST

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Key Takeaway: Pro-Congolese government forces reportedly made notable gains against M23 in an offensive on a key line of advance in southern Masisi district in North Kivu. Significant fighting continued on the RP529 in Walikale district west of Nyabiondo town in Masisi district as several key positions changed hands between pro-Congolese government forces and M23. Pro-Congolese government forces pushed M23 back toward Malemo village in Masisi district on the RP1030 axis in North Kivu. Significant fighting continued between M23-allied Twirwaneho fighters and pro-Congolese government forces around Minembwe town in the South Kivu highlands.

Kinetic Activity in Rutshuru & Eastern Masisi Districts

Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters reportedly clashed in the Bwisha chiefdom in eastern Rutshuru district in North Kivu. Gunfire reportedly broke out between Wazalendo fighters and M23 in Nyamilima in the Binza group in Bwisha on September 15.[1] Nyamilima is near the border with Uganda, about 25 miles northeast of Rutshuru town.

Northern Axis: Lubero-Butembo-Beni-Bunia

Nothing significant to report.

Southern Axis: Bukavu-Uvira-Baraka-Kalemie

Significant fighting continued between M23-allied Twirwaneho fighters and pro-Congolese government forces around Minembwe town in the South Kivu highlands. CTP lasted reported in mid-September on the ongoing offensive by Congolese army (FARDC), the Burundian army (FDNB), pro-Congolese government Wazalendo fighters, and Congolese government-employed private military contractors against Twirwaneho and the M23 coalition on a line of advance toward Minembwe.[2] The M23-aligned investigative outlet Great Lakes Eye cited an unnamed FDNB colonel who claimed in an unverified report that pro-Congolese government forces killed twelve FDNB troops after they tried to desert positions near the front lines in the midlands around the Bijiombo group northeast of Minembwe town on September 10.[3] Another M23-aligned media source claimed on social media on September 11 that Burundi recently deployed a helicopter to support ongoing operations around Minembwe.[4] Congolese government-aligned media sources claimed on social media that clashes continued near Nakiele and Kanguli, which are about 17 and 13 miles east of Point Zéro, an operationally significant hilltop near Minembwe, respectively, on September 11.[5] Congolese government-aligned media sources claimed on social media that clashes took place near Mukoko and Mulima near the front line on September 13 and that pro-Congolese government forces had killed four “Rwandan” special force soldiers.[6] Congolese government-aligned media sources claimed that clashes also resumed in Mukoko, Rugezi, and Point Zéro on September 13.[7] M23’s spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, claimed on social media that pro-Congolese government forces conducted attacks on Mukoko, Rugezi, and Point Zéro using artillery and one-way attack (OWA) drones on September 13.[8] Rugezi is about 20 miles south of Minembwe on a rural road. Kanyuka claimed on social media that pro-Congolese government forces conducted attacks on Point Zéro on September 15.[9] Twirwaneho’s spokesperson, Fidèle Rugabo, claimed on social media that pro-Congolese government forces conducted drone attacks on Gipimo, which may be south of Minembwe in the Basimunyaka South group in the Lulenge sector, on September 16.[10] Clashes then reportedly continued in Rugezi and in Nagishasho, Timbyangoma, and Natulonge in Basimunyaka South on September 17.[11] Rugabo claimed on social media that pro-Congolese government forces were reinforcing their positions on several axes around Minembwe and militants coming from Mukoko had conducted attacks in the Minembwe area on September 17.[12] M23-aligned journalist Steve Wembi and Rugabo claimed that FARDC, FDNB, fighters from the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR), P5, and Wazalendo militants attacked Mukoko and Nyaruhinga on September 18.[13] Rugabo also claimed that pro-Congolese government forces attacked the Gipomo area on September 18.[14] Congolese government-aligned sources claimed on social media on September 18 that pro-Congolese government forces conducted attacks on several axes around Nyaruhinga, Gipomo, Karongozi, Irumba, Biziba, Mukoko, Rugezi, Point Zéro, Kabanju, Kinyukwe, Gahwera, Kipupu, Bijombo, and Rurambo.[15] Kanyuka claimed on social media that pro-Congolese government forces conducted attacks on Nyaruhinga, Mukoko, Nyamabuguma, Point Zéro, and Gipimo using heavy artillery and OWA drones on September 18.[16]

Wazalendo fighters reportedly captured several positions from M23 in northern Kalehe district in South Kivu near the border with North Kivu. Congolese government-aligned sources claimed that Wazalendo fighters regained control of Mutara, Kivoka, Tushunguti, and Kashovu on September 16.[17] Tushunguti is the main town in the Ziralo group, which is in the northwest pocket of Kalehe’s border with North Kivu, whereas Kashovu is in the Ufamandu group in southern Masisi. Kanyuka claimed in a statement on social media that pro-Congolese government forces attacked M23 positions in Kivoka, Kaasomwa, and Gashihe in Kalehe on September 16.[18] Katasomwa is located on the northern tip of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park in Kalehe.

Northwest Axis: Masisi-Walikale-Lubutu-Kisangani

Pro-Congolese government forces reportedly made notable gains against M23 in an offensive on a key line of advance in southern Masisi district in North Kivu. CTP last reported in mid-September that M23 continued to consolidate its territorial control in southern Masisi district in North Kivu as part of a counteroffensive and reportedly pushed westward into previously uncontested areas of southwestern Masisi near the border with Walikale district for the first time.[19] Pro-Congolese government forces had reportedly pushed M23 back from the Masisi-Walikale border toward Kazinga village and recaptured several villages later in the week, however.[20] Pro-Congolese government forces then reportedly captured Kazinga on September 12.[21] Kazinga is about 13 miles west of Masisi town. Fighting reported took place between M23 and Wazalendo fighters in Kibundi and Ngululu, the latter of which is about four miles southwest of Kazinga, on September 12.[22] Congolese government-aligned sources claimed on social media that the FARDC and Wazalendo reportedly gained control over an operationally significant hilltop from M23 further south near Kibabi, which is about four miles west of the mining town of Rubaya, on September 15.[23] Kanyuka claimed on social media that pro-Congolese government forces conducted attacks on Ntekomiko and Kareta villages in Masisi on September 15.[24] CTP is unable to locate Ntekomiko and Kareta, although Kareta is likely in the Ufamandu first group in the Katoyi sector and Ntekomiko is likely closer to the border with South Kivu. Congolese government-aligned sources then claimed that pro-Congolese government forces took control of an operationally significant hilltop above Miko village in the Ufamandu first group in southern Masisi on September 15.[25] Miko is reportedly near Katuunda, which is about 27 miles southwest of Rubaya. Pro-Congolese government forces, including possible FDLR and Nyatura militants speaking Kinyarwanda, then reportedly captured Remeka town on September 15 after clashing with M23.[26] Remeka is about 13 miles southwest of Rubaya and 10 miles from Ngungu town. FARDC and a reported coalition of Wazalendo fighters then reportedly advanced to capture M23 positions at Katuunda, Kaleta, Miano, Muhororo in Ufamandu on September 16 after taking Miko and before advancing to then capture Kasake, pushing M23 back toward Ngungu town.[27] Kasake is about five miles southwest of Ngungu. Miano is about three miles east of Remeka on a local road. Reports from Congolese government-aligned media sources on social media indicated that newly trained FARDC special force units known as Black Mambas participated in the capture of Kasake.[28] M23 had recaptured Remeka and Miano in a counteroffensive around August 20.[29] Fighting also reportedly took place on September 16 at Mitimingi, the Katoyi sector capital, and Bibatama.[30] M23 had recaptured Mitimingi in a counteroffensive on August 29 that brought most of Katoyi under rebel control.[31] Kanyuka claimed on social media that pro-Congolese government forces conducted attacks on M23 positions in Kadahandwa, Nkokwe, Muko, Remeka, and Kumadepo villages in Masisi on September 16.[32] Clashes reportedly took place near Burora hill, reportedly near Ngungu, in Kasake, and a village near Kasake on September 17.[33] Clashes reportedly also took place on Singati hill at the boundary between the Ufamandu group in masisi and the Waloa Loanda group in Walikale district around September 17, after the fall of Miko and Remeka, which are important to access to several routes leading to Waloa Loanda.[34] Clashes reportedly broke out further to the northwest at Mukohwa village in the Nyamaboko first group, roughly about a mile from Humura, on September 17 and 18.[35] Congolese government-aligned sources claimed on social media on September 18 that pro-Congolese government forces were advancing toward Ngungu in Ufamandu to the south and that some M23 elements were withdrawing from the area.[36] Kanyuka claimed on social media that pro-Congolese government forces conducted attacks on Kashovu and Katoyi on September 18.[37]

Significant fighting continued on the RP529 in Walikale district west of Nyabiondo town in Masisi district as several key positions changed hands between pro-Congolese government forces and M23. CTP last reported in mid-September that fighting broke out west of Nyabiondo near the RP529 road along western Masisi’s border with Walikale.[38] Wazalendo fighters had reportedly asserted control over Kibati in Walikale from M23 as early as September 11 after several days of significant fighting.[39] M23 had fully controlled Kibati, which is about 21 miles west of Nyabiondo on the RP529, since October 2025. Wazalendo fighters had then reportedly recaptured Mahanga from M23 after several days of significant fighting on September 11.[40] Mahanga is southwest of Kibati, a few miles from the RP529, in the Osso Banyungu sector in Masisi. Pro-Congolese government forces reportedly advanced from Mahanga and clashed with M23 in Bitoy village in the in the Butsike locality, which is about four miles south of Mahanga on a local road, on September 12.[41] Kanyuka claimed in a statement on social media that pro-Congolese government forces conducted ground and air attacks using heavy artillery and OWA drones on positions that it maintained in Kibati on September 13.[42] The Congolese media outlet Actualite.cd reported that clashes took place in Kibati, Muhanga, and Buhimba, the latter about four miles west of Mahanga on a local road, on September 13.[43] Pro-Congolese government forces had reportedly advanced from Kibati to as far as Milonge, which is reportedy about three miles from Kibati toward Kashebere on the RP529, after it had captured Kibati.[44] Fighting also reportedly took place in Kafunsi, a village near Kashebere on the RP529—about six miles east of Kibati—on September 13.[45] Congolese government-aligned sources claimed on social media that Wazalendo fighters advanced, possibly from positions in Mahanga, and attacked M23 in Kasopo village, which is about four miles north of Mahanga on a local road and seven miles west of Nyabiondo, on September 13 and 14.[46] Actualite.cd reported on September 14 that M23 retained control of Kasopo despite the attacks on its positions.[47] Actualite.cd reported on September 14 that pro-Congolese government forces still controlled Kibati but that M23 was still present in Mahanga.[48] Actualite.cd reported on September 18 that M23 retook then control of Kibati after FARDC and Wazalendo fighters withdrew.[49]

Pro-Congolese government forces pushed M23 back toward Malemo village in Masisi on the RP1030 axis. CTP last reported in mid-September that M23 had made gains toward Pinga town on the RP1030.[50] This included M23’s capture of Minjenje from FARDC and Wazalendo fighters on September 10.[51] The FARDC and Wazalendo fighters reportedly pushed M23 back and regained control of Minjenje after clashes with the group on September 12 and 13, however.[52] M23 had reportedly advanced and took control of two remote villages, Chanjikiro and Buhimba, in the Kisimba group in Walikale district north of the RP1030, but Wazalendo fighters reportedly dislodged the rebels and retook control of the two villages on the same day on September 12.[53] Kanyuka claimed in a statement on social media that pro-Congolese government conducted attacks using heavy artillery and one-way attack drones on Minjenje on September 13.[54] M23 may have recaptured or asserted increased control over the area on September 15, before the FARDC and Wazalendo fighters reportedly regained control of Minejnje again after clashes with M23 that day and pushed the rebels back to Malemo.[55] Great Lakes Eye claimed in a report on September 15 that the FARDC supplied fighters from the FDLR with ammunition and rocket-propelled grenades at the FARDC-FDLR’s stronghold in Pinga town on September 5 for use on the front line on the RP1030.[56] The report also claimed that a DHC-5 Buffalo-type aircraft taking off from Kisangani in Tshopo province in the central DRC then transported 12 tons of ammunitions to FDLR militants to Walikale town on September 6.[57] The report claimed that the ammunition was transported toward Bunyakiri town in Kalehe district in South Kivu.[58] Actualite.cd reported on September 18 that M23 was maintaining its position in Malemo and that the group advanced toward Hembe but was repelled by FARDC-Wazalendo counterattacks.[59] The report said that clashes were continuing around Minjenje, Chanjikiro, Buhimba and Luola, and on the hills of Kasumba, Kazumba and Chad in the Kisimba group.[60]

Southwest Axis: Bukavu-Kamituga-Shabunda-Kindu

Nothing significant to report.

Major Political Developments

Nothing significant to report.

Significant US-Backed Economic Activity

Rwanda signed a new tungsten minerals deal with an American-Canadian mining company. Rwanda and US-Canadian company Almonty Industries announced on September 14 that they had agreed to develop tungsten in an agreement under which the Rwandan government will receive a 25 percent interest in a new subsidiary in exchange for offtake from the Shyorongi tungsten concession, access to a greenfield exploration block in northern Rwanda, and a mineral processing license for a mobile tailings processing unit.[61] The deal also allows the new subsidiary to acquire ore, pre-concentrate, and panning tailings from holders of Rwandan mining licenses, including small-scale license holders, for subsequent sale or upgrading.[62] The readout said that the subsidiary will export the tungsten until a collection and processing plant is built in Rwanda.[63] The readout said that the US State Department helped facilitate the deal and that it was in line with the US-Rwanda Framework for Shared Economic Prosperity, which the United States and Rwanda had signed in December 2025, and the Regional Economic Integration Framework under the Washington Peace Accords.[64]